Fuel separator and vaporizer



Feb. 19, 1935.

E.. M. WHITE FUEL SEPARATOR AND VAPORIZER Filed 001:. 26, 1928 Ernest M. Whize;

Patented Feb. 19,1935 a UNITED; STATES P TEN OFFICE FUEL SEPARATOR ANnvAPo nzER Ernest M. White, Los Angeles, Calif. Application October 26, 1928, Serial No. 315,317 4 Claims. (o1. s-18o This invention relatesto fuel separators and Vaporizers, commonly called homogenizers.

An object of the invention is the provision of a device which effectively prevents the introduction of raw gasoline or other fluid into an engine manifold. Accomplishing this object, the device is so arranged that the trapped or raw gasoline or other fluid is forced into contact with the in coming stream of combustible fluid'so that the same ishomogenized.

At low engine speeds, the so-cal1ed suction or vacuum strokes are'greatest, but the air velocity is not as high as when the engine is operating at high speed. 'This results in improper mixing between gasoline vapor and air. The present device incorporates means adapted tomaintain a substantially uniform air velocity regardless of engine speed. I

Other'objects of the invention will appear as the specification proceeds, and with such objects in view includes a structure which is simple of construction, fool-proof in operation, and generally superior.-

The invention consists in the novel and useful provision, formation, construction, association, and relative arrangementof parts, members and features, all as shown in a certain embodiment in the accompanying drawing, described generally, and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawing: Figure 1 is a side elevation of an internal combustion engine incorporating the invention,

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the invention, r a Y Figure 3 i's a fragmentary longitudinal sectional View of a modified form of the invention, and Figure 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of a modification of certain portions of the invention. 1 v V 7 Referring with particularity to the drawing, I have shown an internal combustion engine A with the improved invention of the form shown in Figure 2 and designated as B associated with the intake manifold of the engine. The device B is adapted to work above and be associated with a carburetor a. In the present instance, the intake manifold 22 forms a partof the device B, although it is evident that the'device B might be detachably secured to the manifold. A casing c,

is provided with inner and outer walls 1 and 2, respectively, adapted. to form therebetween an annular space 3 and this casing is either detachably or integrally associated with the manifold b. In the present instance, the casing forms a part of the said manifold. The outer wall of said flection of such fluid.

'warclly with respect to a central apex or point casing is formed with annular flanges 4 and 5 whichpermitcommunication with the space 3. Thebase member 6 is integrally formed and interconnects the outer and inner walls 1 and 2. The manifold 27 forms a portion of the upper wall 5 between said outer and inner wal1s,'as shown at '7. The inner wall 1 is formed to have two portions of different diameters, as shown at 8 and 9, connected by a ledge portion 10. The manifold wall is formed with a circular opening 11 in alignment 10 with the opening bounded by the walls 8 and 9. In the drawing, the diameter of the opening 11 is almost equal to the inner diameter of the portion 9, the manifold slightly overlapping or providing a flange portion, as shown at 12. I

'. In the form of the invention shown in Figure 2, I have provided means at adapted to be confined by the wall 1. This means includes a tubular meinberwhich is flared at 13, and provided with a base or annular flange 14. In addition, the we bular member is circumferentially provided with one or more transverse slots'15. The base or annular flanged portion 14 is adapted to be interposed as between the base 6 and a flange'lfi secured to the end of the carburetor casing or body 16. The usual gaskets 17 are provided to assure a leak-proof fit. Bolts or the like 18 pass through the flanges 1a and 16' and are screw-threaded to the base 6 to hold the several parts in assemblage. The means (Z is preferably concentric with'respect to thecurvedwall 1 and likewise with respect to the part 16 of the carburetor a. Means e is provided for regulating the velocity of fluid passed from the carburetor andinto the intake manifold as well as controlling the de- '33 In particular, the, said means includes a deflector plate 19, the deflector surface ofwhich is curved upwardly and down:

20; This plate is enlarged 2.1521 to receive a pin 22. The manifold is enlarged and formed with an opening at 23, and a cap 24' is secured to the manifold and over said opening 23. Thepin'22 extends within 'said' cap. Interposed between a flange portion 25 of the cap and the enlarged portion of themanifold surrounding the opening 23 is a member 26; This member is provided with a web or diagonal piece 27 which is enlarged or reenfo rced, as shown at 28,"and likewise formed with'a transverse bore 29 through which bore the pin 22 is passed. Oneend of said pin carries an adjustable nut 30 and a coil spring 31 is adapted to be interposed between said nut 30 and the top' surface of the cross piece or webbing 27,. Compression of saidspring is regulated by adjusting the nut 30. Interposed between the deflector plate 19 and a portion of the manifold wall and surrounding the pin 22 is a resilient. member 32. In the present instance, this resilient member is of the ordinary sylphon-bellows type. This sylphon may be secured to the deflector and to the manifold in any approved manner, such as by providing annular groovesin both the manifold and the top surface of the deflector for receiving ends of said sylphonbellows. The sylphon thus closes entrance within the cap 24. The cap is provided with a transverse bore 33 and with a screw 34 for regulating passage of air or other fluid through said bore. ments 4 and 5 are screw-threadeds to receive nip.-

ples or the like 35 and 36. The nipple 36 in turn carries a tubular member 3'7 adapted to house 'a butterfly type of valve 38 and this member 37. in turn connects with tubing 39 leading. to. the

exhaust manifold 40 of the engine. A tube 41 is secured to the screw-threaded portion of the part 4. i

' The form of the invention'illustrated in Figure 3v does not differ in essential details from the form just described save and except that the means (1 is not utilized. Furthermore, in place of enlarging the base 6 to receive the flange 16 ofjthepart 16 of thecarburetor, a separate flange 42 is provided spaced from a base portion 43, and to thev flange 42 is secured the flange 16' of the part 16 of the carburetor. In other particulars, the construction is the samev save and except for the possible difference in the shape of the annular space 3. v

In Figure 4, the construction would remain the same as shown in Figure 2' with the exception of the'deflector'means c which in thepresent instance is designated as f. This deflector is of the semi-fixed type although it may be formed of'a material which is readily expandible and contractible." The bore of the manifold is formed With a sorew-threaded bore 44 and a plug member 45 forming a part of the means 1 is adapted to be screw-threaded withins aid bore. This plug member carries a tubular part 46 terminating in adefl'ector head 47 identical information with the plate19. The means'd is also utilized. The

means f has its 'deflector head spaced a deter-' mined -distance above the. means 12, as shown in Figuref4'. V

*Inf all the constructions illustrated that portioh'ofthe manifold maybe enlarged where it surrounds the means e, as shown in Figures 2 and 3' at" 48.

The operation uses and advantages of the invention just described are as follows: Assuming that'the engine is in operation, passage of'airiadmixed with gasoline is regulated withv respect to the carburetor by the throttle valve 49 and this air and gasoline admixed are passed upwardly through the means (2 and impinges against the curved surface of the deflector plate 19.- Exhaust gases from the manifold 40 are directed under valvedregulation into the space 3 for the purpose of heating the wall. If the iengineis idling, the deflector plate will assumethe dotted line position of Figure 2 and the. combined mixture of air and gasoline will oi' the walll There will be a reduce d pressure The enlarge within the manifold and as air and gasoline in the carburetor rushes through the means d, a.

circulation will occur which will have as its path the space included between the meansd and the inner surface of the wall 1 through the slots 15, V 7

into the air stream passing through the means d. This will be a continuous so-called longitudinal circulation. Thus, any heavy globules of not 7 properly mixed gasoline will gradually be properly'admixed with air due to this circulatory mo-.

tion and such. globules will be continuously deflected downwardly by the deflector plate until there is a proper admixture as between th e air and gasoline, or other fluid. The deflector at idlingi'sp'eeds of the engine will assume .the'dotted lineposition of Figure 2 but at higher speeds the deflector will be raised, as indicated [by the,

solid lines. in said figure. The degree of raising by the reduced pressure within the intake manifold resultant upon engine speed, but likewise .or lowering is in a measure controlled not only upon adjustment of the compressionof the spring I efiect takes, place so; that the fluid velocity; is

maintained at a substantial uniform rate regardless of engine speed. Thesylphon-bellows 32 helps to damp outoscillatoryvibration that might otherwise occulr-v in thedeflector plate; if

the spring 31 was the only mediumreliediuppn for holding the said plate. The screw 34 wil l;o f course regulate the'air pressure back of thc .-de-

flector plate, hence controlling movement of the plate, to the endthat the deflectorplatewill-a1;

Ways operate efficiently in Figure 3, the invention would'performjn a similar manner, although the means d is. not

utilized. The inner diameter of the-openingrfl.

In the case of the form of the invention shown would be restricted as to sizeso-thatthe deflector plate. would fit thereover. The results accom-.- plished would besimilar to theform of theinvention shown in Figure 2 and raw; globules or. gasoline would flow down to be, picked up agaigitby v the upwardly movingair stream and'deflected by the deflector plateuntil the gasolineiand-air are properly mixed. j I f Theform of the-invention shown in: Figure; is of the fixed type, the deflector head being placed in a position to operate most .eificiently under varying engine speeds. In thiscase,;the,means d is again utilized.

' The invention may be utilized' in various'combinations and associations andfor many, pur-l' poses other than that specified, as for instance,, with compressors, exhausters, and pressure reg. ducing and increasing apparatus. Furthermore; fluids may be combined either-in the device-or prior to being conducted to the device. The heating arrangementmay or may not beflutilized;

It is obvious that various changes andmodi-I fications and variations may be made in practicingthe invention in departurejfrom the ,par-,

ticular showing of the drawing and-description as given without departingjfrom the,,true..spiri.t

thereof. Iclaimzs 1. A; fuel separator and Vaporizer comprising r an annulus having two portions of different diameter with a shoulder therebetween, a movable deflector plate above the portion of lesser diameter whereby fuel passed through said annulus will impinge against said deflector plate and in part be directed upon said shoulder, resilient means for automatically adjusting said plate axially to compensate for pressure variations in the fuel flow, and means communicating with the atmosphere and cooperating with the resilient means to control the movement of said plate.

2. A fuel separator and vaporizer comprising an annulus having two portions of difierent diameter with a shoulder therebetween, a tubular member spacedly confined by the lesser diameter of the annulus, a resiliently mounted deflector plate above the portion of lesser diameter and said tubular member, said tubular member being formed with a slot'adjacent the lowermost end thereof, and whereby when fuel mixture is passed through said tubular member, the same will impinge against said deflectorplate and in part be directed upon said shoulder, any excess of said fuel being received in the space between said tubular member and the annulus of lesser diameter for passage through said slot.

3. In a fuel separator and vaporizer, an annulus having two portions of different diameters with a shoulder therebetween, a deflector plate above the portion of lesser diameter and whereby fuel passed through said annulus will impinge against. said deflector plate and in part be directed upon said shoulder, a sylphon bellows secured to said deflector plate, and atmospheric controlled means in communication with the interior of said sylphon bellows to in turn regulate the movement of the sylphon bellows and said deflector plate.

4. A fuel separator and vaporizer, comprising an annulus having two portions of different diameter with a shoulder therebetween, a resiliently mounted deflector plate above the portion of lesser diameter of said annulus, said deflector plate having an annular concavity, the axis of which is included within the axis of the annulus, atubular member spacedly confined within the portion of lesser diameter of the said annulus and secured to said annulus at one end thereof, any fuel mixture being adaptedto be directly passed through said tubular member for 'impingement against said deflector plate to in turn be directed upon said shoulder, excess of fuel mixture being received between the tubular member and the annulus, and means formed in the walls of the tubular member whereby fuel mixture so directed as aforesaidis returned to any fuel mixture passedthrough said tubular member.

ERNEST M. WHITE. 

